Schrader Still Has That Toledo Magic

Ken Schrader returned to ARCA Racing Series victory lane for the first time in six years Saturday at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway. (HHP/Harold Hinson Photo)

TOLEDO, Ohio – Ken Schrader won the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care Sunday afternoon at Toledo Speedway, making him the oldest winner in ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards history.

Schrader started second in his Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet and led 163 laps. The NASCAR veteran took command of the lead early in the race and held off a long side-by-side battle with Grant Enfinger and took the checkered flag while waving to a capacity crowd.

Schrader pitted on lap 129 and came out second behind Josh Williams, who stayed on the track while most of the rest of the front runners pitted. Schrader, driving the No. 52, quickly got around Williams and got the front — and stayed there. Schrader is 10 days shy of his 58th birthday. Enfinger cut a right front tire late in the race and finished 15th.

Mason Mingus, who entered the race second in points, placed second with Frank Kimmel third, Justin Boston fourth and Matt Tifft fifth.

“I love it,” Schrader said in victory lane. “That’s five (at Toledo). We’ll take it. But, now, it means nothing because we have to go to Elko.”

Schrader’s Federated Car Care team celebrated in victory lane. It was his fifth win at Toledo Speedway and 16th all-time ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards win.

After Enfinger’s car slowed, Schrader had a huge lead as Mingus was his closest competitor, but was a good distance away.

“We were just making laps at that point,” Schrader said. “We knew we had a big lead. We just had to keep it out front.”

Mingus, in the Win Tron Racing Diamond Equipment-811 Call Before You Dig Chevrolet, stayed up front all race but couldn’t get close enough to Schrader at the end.

“We’re pretty excited with second,” Mingus said. “I think we were close. We needed a caution there at the end to bunch up the field a little bit.